Hawaii is taking steps to investigate the response of state and local agencies to the devastating wildfires that have claimed over 100 lives. The state attorney general, Anne Lopez, announced that an independent investigator will be hired to conduct an impartial review. This investigator will be from a third-party organization with expertise in emergency management. The decision to bring in an external investigator comes as concerns arise regarding the adequacy of warnings provided by emergency management officials as the wildfires rapidly spread through West Maui, leaving the historic town of Lahaina in ruins.
Governor Josh Green emphasized that this investigation is not of a criminal nature. He stated during a press conference that the focus is on ensuring safety during hurricane season and for the foreseeable future, as wildfires are expected to occur on a regular basis. Last week, Governor Green instructed the attorney general to initiate a comprehensive review of the wildfires. However, in response to increasing calls for an independent investigation, Attorney General Lopez has opted for an outsider to carry out the review.
The wildfires, which have become the deadliest in the U.S. in over a century and the worst disaster in Hawaii’s history, have claimed the lives of at least 111 people. Lahaina, a community of approximately 13,000 residents, was deeply affected by the blaze, with over 2,700 structures being destroyed, valued at an estimated $5.6 billion.
Criticism has been directed towards the Maui County Emergency Management Agency for not activating warning sirens during the wildfires. Despite the agency’s website noting that sirens can be used in wildfire situations, alerts were primarily sent through text messages, television, and radio. The director of the agency, Herman Andaya, defended this decision, stating that sirens are typically used for tsunamis, and the public is trained to seek higher ground when they are activated. Seeking higher ground would have been perilous during the wildfires, Andaya explained.
Andaya also pointed out that there were no sirens on the mountainside where the fire spread. Therefore, even if the sirens had been activated, they would not have been effective in saving those on the mountainside. The wildfires spread swiftly due to strong winds from Hurricane Dora and the drought conditions in the state.
The cause of the wildfire is still under investigation, but Hawaii Electric, the utility company, is facing scrutiny. Four lawsuits filed in Hawaii state court allege that the company’s downed power lines contributed to sparking the fires. The investigation will shed further light on these concerns.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
